Fixedly expandible collapsed beverage container

ABSTRACT

A container is provided in a folded, minimally-sized, configuration. Ends of the container are folded down onto two of four sides to allow folding without bunching or crushing of the sides through the use of predefined preferential folds. Folding a container into a flattened shape is a procedure that is well known in the art, such as in storing, for example, paper bags. A strap is guided slidably by a rectangular ring and lies against the folded container in close proximity. The strap can have any shape, such as a “V” or “W” shape in cross-section, that provides strength and structural integrity to the expanded container. The strap has a locking mechanism, such as a “tooth” or ridge of material, for positively engaging the ring and causing locking to the ring when the container is expanded. In the folded configuration, the strap covers and thereby protects the opening.

PUBLICATIONS

CATEGORY 1: 7005150 Feb. 28, 2006 Kuge CATEGORY 2:  181014 August 1876 Scott 2574931 November 1951 Nason 2618409 November 1952 Eisenberger et al. 2954901 October 1960 Winstead 3054549 September 1962 Humphrey 3119543 January 1964 Walker 3160326 December 1964 Sturdevant et al. 3163544 December 1964 Valyi 3169690 February 1965 Scholle 3173579 March 1965 Curie et al. 3227322 January 1966 Crain 3233817 February 1966 Casady 3363807 January 1968 Powell 3416719 December 1968 Pilger 3484011 December 1969 Kenneth et al. 3927824 December 1975 Razziano 4308995 January 1982 Hanes 4771917 September 1988 Heaps, Jr. et al. 4815631 March 1989 Eeg et al. 5048691 September 1991 Heuberger et al. 5050775 September 1991 Marquardt 5054644 October 1991 Greenslade 5125566 June 1992 Deiger 5147062 September 1992 Heuberger et al. 5147071 September 1992 Rutter et al. 5156295 October 1992 Gordon et al. 5562228 October 1996 Ericson 5897050 April 1999 Barnes 5909841 June 1999 Andrews, Sr. et al. 6062431 May 2000 Geshay 6164526 December 2000 Dalvey 6253993 July 2001 Lloyd et al. 6290124 September 2001 Andrews, Sr. et al. CATEGORY 3: 3349986 October 1967 Chapman. 6139187 October 2000 Galomb et al. CATEGORY 4: 1129778 February 1915 Baldwin 1984611 December 1934 Weaver 2413721 January 1947 Lobl 2714982 August 1955 Strauss 2946494 July 1960 Kuss 3126140 March 1964 Lizan et al. 3143249 August 1964 Merrill et al. 3927824 December 1975 Razziano 3931916 January 1976 Blue et al. 6196452 March 2001 Andrews, Sr. et al.

PRIOR ART

It is commonly known that fillable containers are often desired when, for example, on a family outing. Some substance, such as a liquid, is desired to be contained, so that it may be conveniently handled prior to consumption.

Often rigid containers such as canteens or plastic/glass bottles are used. While suitable for containing such substances, rigid containers require space that could advantageously used otherwise when not desired for use, especially for families with small children.

Expandable soft containers, such as plastic bags, are often used to better utilize the available space. However, soft containers are difficult to handle when filled with a desired substance, such as a liquid, and especially so for small children. Among other things, soft containers are relatively difficult to place on a surface, or for children to hold, since the shape of the container is malleable, and often changes unpredictably. Additionally, with soft containers, pressure on the container, such as by the grasp of a small child, may cause the content to be undesirably expressed from the container.

Some previous efforts have been made to provide a framework, such as recesses in a surface, for placing soft containers conveniently, or for providing handles for children to hold, but such recesses use valuable space, and handles are often difficult to grasp properly, especially for small children.

In Category 1, U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,150, Kuge et al, which is believed to be the closest prior art discovered by the inventors, discloses a beverage holder which is collapsed prior to use, and expanded for the insertion of content, such as a beverage. The '150 patent further discloses a built-in straw for use in consumption of the contents. Prior to insertion of content, the container of the '150 patent keeps the interior portion protected from contamination. The protection afforded by the container of the '150 patent is afforded by keeping the container sealed both prior to and after expansion. However, the '150 is not inherently rigid upon expansion, and it may be difficult for a user to insert content, or for a child to hold the expanded container as the content is consumed.

In Category 2, inventors suggest the containers shown are not collapsible for later expansion and use by the user.

In Category 3, inventors suggest the containers shown require liners, since the interior is not protected from contamination prior to expansion for use, are generally multipiece configurations, and generally are not suitable for easy expansion by a user.

In Category 4, inventors suggest the containers shown are not suitable for sealed storage of liquids or similar foodstuffs, and are often such objects as open cups, etc.

There is a long-felt need for a container that is folded prior to use, is easily fillable by the user, and is rigid when expanded whereby the content are more easily controlled by small children while the content is consumed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A collapsed container, which is advantageously folded onto itself to form a substantially rectangular flat piece for easy storage and handling, such as in a sterile plastic bag, is provided with a strap and locking ring on one side. When the folded pieces are unfolded, keyed sections on the strap engage the locking ring and fixedly hold the container in an opened, substantially rigid, configuration. In this way, a rigid container can be constituted from an easily stored flattened configuration when desired. Once opened, the container is preferably permanently opened to avoid reuse, considering the health hazards such reuse may pose, for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a view of the container of the invention in a folded position for storage prior to use.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the container of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the container of the invention after being expanded for use.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the container of the invention showing a built-in means for removing content from the container, such as a straw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION:

In an embodiment of the invention 100 shown in FIG. 1, a container 101 is in a folded, minimally-sized, configuration. Ends 102 and 103 are folded down onto sides 104 and 105. Folding is allowed without bunching or crushing of sides 106 and 107 through the use of predefined preferential folds (not shown) in sides 106 and 107. Folding a container into a flatten shape is a procedure that is well known in the art, such as in storing, for example, paper bags. Folding ends 102 and 103 against sides 104 and 105 is accomplished by flexing the junctures 108 and 109 between ends 102 and 103 and sides 104 and 105. Strap 110 is guided slidably by flexible rectangular ring 112 and thereby lies against the folded container in close proximity thereto. Strap 110 is shown as a flat piece, but it will be clear to those in the art that it can have any shape, such as a “V” or “W” shape in cross-section, that provides strength and structural integrity to strap 110 and thereby to container 101. Strap 110 has a locking mechanism, such as a “tooth” or ridge of material 114, for positively engaging ring 112 having, for example, a “cog” or other engaging means, and causing strap 110 to be locked to ring 112 when the container 101 is expanded. In the folded configuration as shown, strap 110 advantageously covers and thereby protects opening 110. Opening 110 is optionally sealed with a screw cap or snap-on cover, or any other means (not shown) for closing opening 110.

The embodiment of the invention 200 shown in FIG. 2 is a container 201, such as container 101 in FIG. 1, and is shown in a side view. Ends 202 and 203 fold down onto sides 204 and 205, respectively, with flexible junctures 209 and 216. Preferential prefolded areas (not shown), such as in sides 206 and 207, prevent bunching or wrinkling of container 201, and are well known. Straps 210, 218 are attached by flexible hinge-like connections 208, 219 to sides 204, 205 respectively, and straps 210, 218 are constrained slideably through rings 212, 219 respectively. Rings 212, 219 are connected rotatably to the juncture of side 204 and end 202, and to the juncture of side 205 and end 203 respectively, and are constrained in place thereby. Latching means, such as “teeth” or ridges 214, 221, serve to lock ring 212 to strap 210 and ring 219 to strap 218 when container 201 is fully expanded. Strap 210 is optionally arranged such that strap 210 covers and protects opening 211.

Another embodiment of the invention 300 is shown in an isometric view in FIG. 3, and is a container 301, as is container 101 in FIG. 1. Container 301 is shown fully expanded and ready for use. Straps 310, 318 are locked to rings 312, 319, preventing container 301 from being collapsed. Opening 311 is now exposed for use by the reorientation of strap 312. Fold 322, shown with dashed lines, folds inwardly toward the center of the container 301 on side 303. Fold 323, shown with dashed lines, folds inwardly toward the center of the container 301 along side 304. Similar folds 324 (not shown) on side 302 and 325 (not shown) on side 305 perform identical functions in an identical way.

Yet another embodiment of the invention 400 is shown in an isometric view in FIG. 4, and is a container 401 with straps 410, 418 constrained slideably by rings 412, 419 for expanding container 401, wherein container 401 includes a built-in straw 414 for expeditiously removing a beverage or other foodstuffs (not shown) therefrom, straw 414 being protected from damage or contamination at an opening of straw 414 such as with a cap or shielding means 416.

Note that the embodiments shown herein are for illustration of the embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The invention includes any modifications and/or equivalents which are within the spirit and intent of the invention. 

1. In a container used for beverages or other foodstuffs, which container is initially provided in a collapsed or flattened configuration, and which container is to be expanded to hold a desired volume of beverage or other foodstuffs when so desired by the user, wherein the invention comprises: providing a strap and locking structure in the form of a substantially rectangular ring for guiding and containing said strap, such that said strap is locked into position when the container is expanded, and said container is thereby prevented from collapsing in normal use.
 2. The container of claim 1, providing a tooth and cog extension separately on said strap and said ring such that when the strap is pulled beyond a desired point the engagement of the tooth and cog prevents motion of said strap through said ring from being reversed to thereby allow the collapse of said container.
 3. The container of claim 1, providing a strap with a cross-sectional shape other than flat for said strap for holding said container open when said container is expanded.
 4. In a container used for beverages or other foodstuffs, which container is initially provided in a collapsed or flattened configuration, and which container is to be expanded to hold a desired volume of beverage or other foodstuffs when so desired by the user, wherein the invention comprises: providing a strap and locking structure in the form of a substantially rectangular ring for guiding and containing said strap, such that said strap is locked into position when the container is expanded, and said container is thereby prevented from collapsing in normal use, and a suction means such as a tubing of the type commonly referred to as a straw is provided for the expeditious removal of beverage contents of said container.
 5. The container of claim 4, wherein said straw is translatable into a protective shield so as to protect an entry to said straw from contamination or damage.
 6. The container of claim 4, providing a strap with a cross-sectional shape other than flat for said strap for holding said container open when said container is expanded.
 7. In a container used for beverages or other foodstuffs, which container is initially provided in a collapsed or flattened configuration, and which container is to be expanded to hold a desired volume of beverage or other foodstuffs when so desired by the user, wherein the invention comprises: providing a strap and locking structure in the form of a substantially rectangular ring for guiding and containing said strap, such that said strap is locked into position when the container is expanded, and said container is thereby prevented from collapsing in normal use, and a suction means such as a tubing of the type commonly referred to as a straw is provided for the expeditious removal of beverage contents of said container, and further providing for inwardly disposed folds in opposing sides of said container for allowing said container to be neatly folded without bunching or wrinkling of the material of the container.
 8. The container of claim 4, wherein said straw is translatable into a protective shield so as to protect an entry to said straw from contamination or damage.
 9. The container of claim 4, providing a strap with a cross-sectional shape other than flat for said strap for holding said container open when said container is expanded. 